20 Year Flood Action Plan

Latest newsThe Somerset Rivers Authority (SRA) has been launched on the 31 of December, as the umbrella organisation for the 20 Year Flood Action Plan. The SRA will help identify, fund and deliver the next steps for improved flood protection in Somerset, while building partnership and coordination between separate flood risk management authorities in the county. For more details about the new organisation and the latest progress on the Flood Action Plan, visit www.somersetriversauthority.org.uk

Background to the PlanThe former Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson asked for a single, overarching plan that will guide water and land management policies and investment on Somerset’s Levels and Moors for the next twenty years. The Flood Action Plan (FAP) was produced by a range of organisations, with the involvement of the community and was co-ordinated by Somerset County Council.

You can download the 20 Year Flood Action Plan, and the executive summary of the plan here:

OrganisationsThe Flood Action Plan is coordinated by Somerset County Council but there are many different organisations responsible for carrying it out, including the Environment Agency; the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group; Sedgemoor District Council; Somerset Internal Drainage Boards; South Somerset District Council; Taunton Deane Borough Council; Mendip District Council; West Somerset District Council; the Royal Bath & West Society; Natural England; Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Work streamsThe work of the Flood Action Plan is divided into different areas, known as work streams. These are led or shared by the different organisations above and consist of: